Hi everyone. I am going on a trip to Shannon, Ireland on June 5th, 2006.
We are traveling with American Airlines from Boston and the aircraft that is assigned to that flight is a Boeing 757. I was wondering if any of you out there have taken this flight. It seems to me that the Boeing 757 is a bit small for a transatlantic flight. Thanks

Don't worry about that. The 757-200 has a range of 3900 Nautical Miles, well beyond that of BOS-SNN. Other airlines that fly the 752 transatlantically are CO and soon US. CO flies routes such as EWR-TXL and EWR-OSL on 752s. It might take a little while to get used to the fact that a single aisle is flying across the pond, but they are fine. By the way, welcome to airliners.net

Some points. If you are driving, apart from driving on the opposite side of the road, some of our roads here are in poor condition so watch for the potholes and don't be fooled by the new roads around Shannon - they give a false impression!!

Expect a friendly, warm welcome (but don't count on the weather) and try to remember that, going back to the roads, journey times are longer than in the US as many towns are not bypassed and though the speed limits are similar, most roads are one lane in each direction.

If you haven't got family or friends here and are not following a professional tour itinerary, the best advice is not to expect to cover too much ground in a short time.

Part of the charm of the place is the slowness of life, especially in the west - Dublin is somewhat different!!

CO operate the following routes on a B752:CLE:LGW (seasonal)EWR:BCNCGNCPHLGW (Seasonal 3rd flight this summer.)AMSBFSTXLBHXBRSDUBSNNEDIGLALISMANOSLCDGARNGVA (They've subbed. Maybe even scheduled at one point, but not sure.)

CO also runs their 752s (and 753s, while we're at it) to the west coast- LAX, SFO, SEA, etc. on flights that are routinely longer than their eastbound Trans-Atlantic counterparts. People don't know the difference, and most don't care as long as their ticket was cheap.
Fact is, you don't have any more room in a 777 than you do on a 757, aside from the headroom, which shouldn't be an issue anyway. People make such a big deal out of something (narrowbodies across the pond) that was the norm just 25-30 years ago. If you want a widebody to places like OSL and CGN, you're welcome to connect at the nearest hub. Otherwise, don't complain about direct flights- they operate for a reason.

I think most of us prefer international long haul widebodies to domestic narrowbodies. AA's BOS-SNN flights are domestic confinguration. I would not want to be on that flight, and I would reroute myself accordingly.

No, nothing wrong with the plane. Perfectly acceptable. But not preferable.

AA also use the B757 on it's seasonal BOS-MAN route, which is somewhat further than BOS-SNN. The B757 is perfectly capable of operating East Coast US- Western Europe flights. As others have already mentioned, CO operate a far more extensive B757 transatalantic operation.

And for those who turn their nose up in disgust at single-aisled transatlantic ops, remember that B707's/DC-8's/VC-10's did it for donkeys years and everyone thought it was the lap of luxury!

Quoting Zrs70 (Reply 11):I think most of us prefer international long haul widebodies to domestic narrowbodies. AA's BOS-SNN flights are domestic confinguration. I would not want to be on that flight, and I would reroute myself accordingly.

No, nothing wrong with the plane. Perfectly acceptable. But not preferable.

I can see your point if it were a simple narrow body v wide body argument, but what is the difference between 5 or 6 hours or so on a domestic flight, or one of AA's 757 flights to South America and a flight to SNN? The time on board is the same?

The other relevant issue is that AA use the 757 presumably because loads do not justify something larger. It is unlikely that the company could sustain a viable year-round daily service BOS-SNN with 767 or 777 equipment.

Quoting Irish251 (Reply 15):The other relevant issue is that AA use the 757 presumably because loads do not justify something larger. It is unlikely that the company could sustain a viable year-round daily service BOS-SNN with 767 or 777 equipment.

Indeed, the flightn isn't even daily in the winter.

However both the seasonal MAN-BOS and the SNN-BOS and v v are regarded by AA as very profitable.

I understand what your saying. My biggest frustration with the 757 on that route, is that it doesn't have an international flagship product on it. You are flying on a regular domestic 757 on that flight. The first class on those flights seems very similar to the international coach on most of AA's other flights. Its no fun crossing the pond without a legrest, and the coach seats aren't comfortable enough for a flight that long, I don't think.

Quoting PanAm92 (Reply 19):Just look at it as you are flying in the 60's and 70's when we used to fly on 707. DC-8, VC-10.

Only with about 3 - 5 less inches of leg room, welcome to air travel in the 21st century. There is a VC10 at an air museum near Cambridge, that you can go onboard, the coach pitch is astounding, first class on CO domestic has less leg room. Those were the days! Such are the times we live in.

Quoting Philb (Reply 13):I can see your point if it were a simple narrow body v wide body argument, but what is the difference between 5 or 6 hours or so on a domestic flight, or one of AA's 757 flights to South America and a flight to SNN? The time on board is the same?

Look, if I am flying IAD-LAX, I would rather be on UA's 777 than UA's 319!

Quoting PanAm92 (Reply 19):Just look at it as you are flying in the 60's and 70's when we used to fly on 707. DC-8, VC-10.

Well, it's NOT the 60's and 70's! But let's say it were.... I would much rather sit in the roomier 707 in Y than the cramped 757 in Y.

Also, I don't think AA offers F on these flights. THe F cabin is for elites, but the service is Y service, correct?